On Tuesday, September 30, the Montreal Canadiens will face off against the Ottawa Senators at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, marking a pivotal moment in the preseason for both franchises as they finalize roster decisions and test chemistry ahead of the regular season.
According to ESPN analysis, Montreal enters the matchup with momentum, having won three of their last four preseason games. Lane Hutson continues to impress with his offensive instincts, while Nick Suzuki and Florian Xhekaj have shown consistency and grit.
Florian, in particular, is fighting for a spot on the opening night roster and has gained attention for his physical play and resilience. Ottawa, meanwhile, has recorded two wins and one loss in their recent outings. The Senators are still adjusting defensively, especially with Brady Tkachuk sidelined, and are relying on Tim Stützle and Claude Giroux to lead the offensive charge.
Projected lineups suggest Montreal will start Cayden Primeau or Jake Allen in goal, with defensive pairings including Kaiden Guhle and David Savard, and Lane Hutson alongside Jordan Harris. Up front, Nick Suzuki will center Cole Caufield and Josh Anderson, while Sean Monahan, Alex Newhook, and Jesse Ylönen round out the top six. Florian Xhekaj is expected to skate on the fourth line with Mitchell Stephens and Rafael Harvey-Pinard.
Ottawa is likely to start Anton Forsberg or Mads Søgaard in net. The defense will feature Thomas Chabot with Jakob Chychrun, and Travis Hamonic paired with Erik Brännström. The forward lines include Tim Stützle, Claude Giroux, and Vladimir Tarasenko, with Shane Pinto, Ridly Greig, and Mathieu Joseph providing depth. Mark Kastelic, Dominik Kubalík, and Parker Kelly are expected to complete the bottom six.
Historically, the rivalry has been tight. In their last five meetings, Montreal has won three while Ottawa has taken two, with several games going into overtime. Their most recent encounter was on December 2, 2025, when Ottawa secured a 4-2 victory.
This preseason game not only offers a glimpse into each team’s readiness but also sets the tone for future matchups in the Atlantic Division. Both teams will be looking to make a statement before the regular season begins.